Ahead Of Diwali, Bengal Relaxes Covid Curbs. Schools To Reopen, Trains To Resume - Check Do's & Don'ts

Taking note of the upcoming festivals, the overall Covid restrictions in the state that were set to be in effect till October 30 have now been expanded by a month.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (File Photo)

Kolkata: In a bid to curb the further spread of Coronavirus in the states, West Bengal government on Friday announced it has extended the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in the state till November 30.

However, keeping in mind the upcoming festive season such as Diwali, Mamata Banerjee-led state government has also issued a new set of Covid-19 guidelines, which allows timeframe of various outdoor activities.

Taking note of the upcoming festivals, the overall Covid restrictions in the state that were set to be in effect till October 30 have now been expanded by a month.

READ: Diwali 2021: SC Says 'No Total Ban On Firecrackers', Only Those Containing Barium Salts Prohibited

Like earlier, it will be mandatory for all to wear masks, maintain physical distance and following hygiene protocols.

Below is a list of what’s allowed and what’s not after the government’s decision to announce the extension:

Do’s:

• The schools for classes 9 to 12, colleges and universities shall open with effect from November 16 following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the school education and higher education departments
• The government offices related to emergency and essential services shall continue to function with 100 percent strength
• Inter-state local train movement may operate with 50 percent seating capacity
• All government offices related to non-emergency and non-essential services shall now function with 50 percent of total strength.
• Cinema halls, theatre halls, sadans, manchas, auditorium, stadiums, shopping malls, marketing complexes, restaurants, spa and gym will be allowed to operate with 70 percent of capacity at a time as per normal operational hours but not beyond 11 p.m.
• Coaching centers for competitive exams may remain open with 70 percent of capacity at a time
• Outdoor activities for all permissible activities, including shooting for films and TV programmes will be allowed with adherence of physical distancing and Covid appropriate protocols
• Restrictions relating to movement of people and vehicles shall be relaxed for Kali Puja and Diwali during November 2 to 5 and for Chhath Puja during November 10 and 11
• Employers/management bodies/owners/supervisors of all offices, establishments and work places shall be responsible for provisioning of Covid safety measures, including regular sanitization of work places, vaccination of employees and for compliance of stated directives and Covid appropriate norms
• Work from home may be encouraged as far as possible and practical
• Indoor social gatherings, including marriage ceremonies, shooting for films, TV programmes and audio recording activities etc will be allowed with 70 percent of capacity of the hall/venue

Don’t’s:

• Restaurants and bars may operate with 70 percent of seating capacity at a time but not beyond 11 p.m.
• Restrictions relating to movement of people and vehicles between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. shall continue to be inforce